Eastern Castle – Chinese Water Dragon

When talking of “balance” within artwork, does the term not only refer to the “weights” of various areas within the artwork (such as it’s ability to pull on your eyes); but also to the techniques that have been used to construct that artwork.  Within this Fantasy Realm, do I find the use of three such artist’s techniques, that also happen to be in balance – with each other:

A Chinese Water Dragon – that Snakes through Perspective and Layer!

First:  comes the artist’s use of layering.  This Dragon’s head is on a layer by itself – right at the very front (the foreground).  As the Dragon’s neck begins to fade, do we encounter interaction with the foremost castle spire (it passes behind it).  As the Dragon’s tail begins to “snake”, do we encounter interaction with the aft/right-most castle spires (it both overlaps, and passes behind them).  And yet, is this Dragon’s tail not quite as simple as that – for at each “dragon level”, has the artist decided to match the lighting in that area (as to avoid an unbalanced scene).  Second:  comes the artist’s use of perspective.  This Eastern Castle makes use of a three-point perspective (the third vanishing point being found – when you extend a line upwards from the apex of each tower).  If we also extend that line downwards, do we find that these towers share a relationship with their foundations:  it’s hard to imagine the towers being “at home” on any other rock formation!  And yet, is this three-point perspective not as simple as that.  The third vanishing point, has been used to “pull you into the scene” – particularly upwards (whilst also interacting with the Dragon’s tail [especially in terms of scaling]).  I also feel that there’s a relationship between the Dragon, and the other two vanishing points.  The left-most vanishing point, causes the left-most castle “opening faces” to be at the same “angle” as the Dragon’s neck.  The effect is further enhanced, by the use of similar shading in this area (both the Dragon’s neck, and the castle’s “opening faces” go from dark to light, with the light being intensified on the top-right).  The right-most vanishing point, causes the right-most castle “uniform faces” to be at the same “angle” as the Dragon’s face (achieved through clever shading on the whitened rock [just above that cloud]).  Thus, is this three-point perspective, very powerful indeed!  Third:  comes the artist’s interpretation of the Fantasy itself.  When I look at this Dragon, do I think of the Element of Water 🙂  The artist has chosen their colours wisely – the Dragon’s aquamarine is of Water.  The artist has chosen their details cleverly – the Dragon’s scales are of Water (akin to a fish’s scales).  The artist has also chosen their highlights carefully – the collection of “white flecks” (towards the bottom of the artwork), are as if they are Water Spray (especially on the bottom right).  When these three techniques are taken together – do I find:  that the Element of Water, Snakes through these Towers, Cascading to the Depths, Amongst the Hills, Bringing the Magic of Water – to this Fantasy Scene 🙂

Cinderella’s Castle – Fairyland’s Realm

Within the Realms of Fairyland, do we find that an artist’s choice of background – can be just as important, as the artist’s choice of Castle 🙂  Perhaps then, there’s no more worthy subject, in the Realms of Fairyland – than that of Cinderella‘s!  In this Fantasy scene, do we find a Fantasy blend, that’s just-right for a Princess:

Cinderella’s Castle – in Fairyland

I love the way that this artwork, speaks one theme to me – just meant to be!  The castle itself, makes use of detail, on the lower parts of it’s walls (the individual bricks).  And yet, on the upper parts of the castle – has the Fantasy Artist, decided against such high levels of detail:  preferring to “blend and omit” instead.  Indeed, do I find this to be – a good example of an artist’s ability, to bring focus to their artwork.  In doing so, does the artist help to capture, “what you would expect to see” in the real world – atmospherics.  This Fantasy artwork, also appears to be a mix of both two-point, and one-point perspective.  The two-point, is used upon Cinderella’s Castle; whilst the one-point, is used upon the Fantasy background.  In doing so, does the artist help “pull you into” – the centre of the scene 🙂  This “pull you in” effect, is also present upon the lanterns (on the left), and also upon – the leftmost path, and the river.  At first glance, would it seem that the background, makes use of many different colours (for it’s flowers), which indeed it does.  And yet, at the same time – does the background, seem “balanced“.  I feel that this has been achieved, through the artist’s clever use of shadowing; or at the very least, through the fact that the colour black, is ever present, upon the background (in subtle blends).  I also feel, that the rainbow has been included, to bring balance to the right-hand-side of the castle.  This idea, is also further repeated – upon the two large trees:  one on the left (pink), and one on the right (green).  Except here, is the balance brought, to the “height of the scene”.  The artist has also added, a “little twist” in the form of Tinker Bell, who I feel – helps bring light, to the upper parts of the castle (on the left-hand-side).  Again, do we encounter the concept of balance (as both Tinker Bell, and the castle “light” – are the same colour).  Thus, has this artist, brought plenty of Magic, to their Kingdom 🙂